To get the most out of Indonesia's vast cultural and natural treasures, you'll need at least 10 days. This is enough time to see different archipelagos or experience the highlights of a major tourist hub like Bali. In five days or a week, you can still enjoy beach time, snorkeling, and sailing around a couple of locales, but two weeks really opens things up to go off the beaten path and visit multiple islands.
Make the most of five days in Indonesia and opt for a Bali highlights tour that features jungle hikes, snorkeling, and enjoying the nightlife in resort town Seminyak. Or choose a Bali tour that focuses on the outdoors, from waterfalls to rice terraces to a unique "floating temple." Other excellent choices include a tour around Java, home to the world's largest Buddhist temple, or a beach-oriented itinerary that features a cruise through Komodo National Park.
If you have just five days in Bali, it's wise to spend your time in one region. Wellness travelers can reinvigorate body and soul with spa treatments in Seminyak and purification rituals at Taman Beji Samuan. Those keen on culture can cook with a chef in Ubud and attend a kecak performance in Uluwatu. Active travelers will enjoy surfing and whitewater rafting, while those eager to encounter wildlife will appreciate a visit to the Sangeh Monkey Forest and snorkeling at Blue Lagoon Beach.
With only six days to spend in Indonesia, you can still cover a number of islands or provinces, like on this classic route from East Java to Bali to Komodo Island. Or, rise early and cover Java's highlights, including iconic Mount Bromo and Borobudur temple. Seeking adventures in nature? See orangutans in the Sumatran jungles or kayak Komodo National Park and spot the famed dragon. Lastly, meet the ethnic groups of South Sulawesi and venture to lesser-touristed sites in Tana Toraja.
With one week in Bali, you can hop between the northern highlands, the quaint coastal village of Pemuteran, and the bustling resort town of Sanur on a highlights tour. Or, join a sun-kissed adventure featuring Seminyak and Gili Trawangan filled with snorkeling excursions and beach time. If you're seeking a culturally rich trip, dedicate your time to the villages and temples in and around Ubud, and add on a trip to Sanur or Nusa Lembongan for a slice of coastal paradise.
A week in Indonesia allows you to focus on Bali, visit temples and swim in waterfalls, or combine a few days in Bali with a snorkeling and boating adventure around Lombok. Get away from it all on a trip to western Flores and the Komodo Archipelago, hiking through secluded caves and sleeping in a cone-shaped hut. Animal lovers will opt for an itinerary around North Sumatra, featuring elephants and the chance to spot orangutans in the wild, or a trip to Borneo and Java, rich with wildlife viewing opportunities.
With one week in Indonesia, you and the family can choose between a slower-paced highlights trip of Bali filled with cultural excursions, village visits, and temple tours, or get off the beaten path and let children take in Java's impressive landscapes on a temples, tea fields, and volcanoes adventure. Families with young children can opt for a best-of-Bali trip split between Ubud and Sanur, while families who prefer mountains to sea will delight in an activity-packed itinerary exploring the landscapes of Ubud and Munduk.
If you have eight days in Indonesia, stick to one main island with a possible visit to nearby lesser islands, like the Komodo Archipelago off of Flores. Consider Bali's popular southeast to see monkeys, rice paddies, and beaches. Discover the wildlife on Flores, covering its length, with fewer crowds than in Bali, or explore Java and check out the world's largest Buddhist temple of Borobudur. Or, for a unique holiday, head to Lombok for secluded jungle waterfalls, remote beaches, and untouristed islands.
With nine days in Indonesia, you can soak up the sun and fascinating Balinese Hinduism on a classic Bali and Gili Air trip or unpack your bags and base yourself in Ubud and Sanur for a relaxing culture and beach-filled Bali vacation. Discover ancient traditions on a tour of South Sulawesi, with four nights in Rantepao and two days relaxing on the white sands of Bira. If wildlife, virgin jungles, and a massive supervolcano lake sound like your thing, opt for a nature-packed excursion of Sumatra.
In 10 days, you and the family can visit one to two of Indonesia's main islands. Active families and beach lovers will enjoy watersports and biking in Lombok and Bali, while those keen on culture will appreciate learning about Toraja traditions in South Sulawesi or crafting keepsakes in a batik workshop in Yogyakarta. Families traveling with younger children should opt for the Cultural Family Vacation, which includes experiences like chocolate tasting and a cooking class.
With 10 days to spend in Indonesia, many travelers visit Bali for a highlights tour of the island's historic temples, beautiful beaches, and scenic rice fields. You could focus more specifically on Balinese culture, choosing an itinerary that features local experiences like cooking classes or combine several days in Bali with time on another island, like Nusa Penida, an excellent destination for snorkeling. Another option is to skip Bali and explore Java's natural wonders or cruise around the Raja Ampat Archipelago on a traditional wooden sailboat.
Ten days gives you time to see Bali by land and sea. Active outdoor enthusiasts can surf near Uluwatu, tour Kintamani by bike, and hike up Mount Batur. Those interested in Balinese culture will enjoy the chance to attend a kecak dance performance, witness purification rituals at the Tirta Empul Water Temple, and learn painting and cooking techniques in Ubud. Travelers keen on boat travel and watersports should consider adding a three-day sailing and snorkeling trip in the Komodo Islands.
With 11 days in Indonesia, you can spend your time between the temples, quaint villages, and beaches of Java and Bali on a classic itinerary or take a deep dive into the local way of life on a culture-focused trip, complete with a full-day shadowing a rural Balinese family. If you prefer a more relaxed pace with plenty of time at the beach, stick to a Bali and Gili Islands-focused trip. And if volcanoes and temples pique your interest, an 11-day itinerary with stays in Yogyakarta, Mount Bromo, and Mount Ijen will do just the trick.
With 12 days in Indonesia, you can see many major sites and cover multiple islands, but it's best to decide which of Indonesia's diverse landscapes you prefer. Focus on nature by bird-watching in West Papua or visiting the orangutans in Borneo; beach hop around the Gili Islands, go on a multi-day trek through the jungle toward Wamena or spend more time in the local villages learning about Indigenous tribes, like the Dani Tribe of Papua New Guinea or the people of Sumba.
With 13 days in Indonesia, you can take in Java and Sulawesi's remote villages and impressive Hindu temples on a culture-focused tour. Or, stick to Bali and choose an adventure-packed itinerary, culture and beaches getaway, or a mix of both. Add on a trip to the Gili Islands to enjoy ultimate relaxation, or get off the beaten path and explore along the north coast and central Bali.
With two weeks to spend exploring Bali, you can cater your itinerary to your preferences. Opt for a well-rounded cultural escape to experience the island's lush interior and cultural hotspots, while those with an affinity for the underwater world can hop between Nusa Penida, Tulamben, and West Bali National Park's superb diving sites. Another fantastic option is a nature and culture-focused tour, which showcases the temple-filled destinations of Tanah Lot, Munduk, and Sidemen.
You can cover some serious ground with two weeks in Indonesia, exploring up to three different islands, or basing yourself on one or two islands for more in-depth cultural, historical, and culinary experiences. For example, explore the wilds of Kalimantan and the Derawan Islands or pair Java and Bali for a smaller radius. From experiencing ancient village traditions and hiking the jungles of Sulawesi to honeymooning in Bali—your options are plentiful.
With two weeks in Indonesia, your family can focus on Bali and tick off its cultural and adventure must-dos on a highlights tour or head off the beaten path during an eight-day cruise around Komodo National Park. If you have young kids, consider a tour split between the vibrant cities of Java and the family-friendly towns of Ubud and Seminyak, while those seeking a leisurely paced trip can spend long days relaxing on the sandy beaches of Senggigi and Jimbaran.
With 15 days in Indonesia, you can take a deep dive into Bali's cultural and scenic highlights on a classic tour. Or get a taste of the wild jungles and otherworldly landscapes of Sumatra and East Java, then relax on the beaches of Bali on a well-rounded Indonesia adventure. If you're ready to get well off the beaten path, opt for an itinerary split between Borneo and Bali or for the ultimate relaxing trip, island hop between Bali, Gili Air, and Nusa Penida.
